You will need a kid-friendly nativity scene.
Prior to children's arrival, hide baby Jesus somewhere in the room.
As you set up the nativity scene for display, talk about each person's role in the story of CHRISTmas, saving baby Jesus for last (also do not place the wise men in the scene until the end of the lesson). When you get to the baby, say, "Oh no! I can't seem to find baby Jesus anywhere! Will you help me find Him?" Instruct students to search for baby Jesus. The child who finds Him gets the honor of placing Him in the manger.
Say, "You know our search for baby Jesus reminds me of some men who also searched for the REAL baby Jesus..."
Read in scripture about the wise men's search for the Christ child and talk about how although we typically see them in nativity scenes, according to scripture they actually did not arrive at the stable, but later at the house where Joseph and Mary were staying...you may want to set them on display off to the side...
For older children, you may want to discuss the significance of each gift brought by the wise men.
The following was found at http://www.magi-gifts.com/significance.html
Where did Christmas gift giving come from? If we go back to the first Christmas story when God sent Jesus to earth, we recall that Jesus was given three gifts by the three wise men or Magi, which serve as the inspiration for all our Christmas gift giving today.
The Magi presented Jesus with gold, frankincense and myrrh. These gifts were very prophetic for they spoke of our Lord's offices of King, Priest, and Savior.
GOLD: This carries obvious significance. It's precious and worthy across all cultures and times. It's a gift fit for royalty. It says to the Christ child, You will be a King
FRANKINCENSE: The name for this resin likely comes from incense of Franks since it was reintroduced to Europe by Frankish Crusaders. Although it is better known as frankincense" to westerners the resin is also known as olibanum, which is derived from the Arabic al-lub ("the milk") a reference to the milky sap tapped from the Boswellia tree. Frankincense has been touted for its medicinal and soothing properties. Herbalists say it is calming, restorative, gently clarifying, and meditative. Frankincense oil is thought to have stimulating, toning, and warming properties. The ancient world used it for treating depression. We recognize the word incense in its name. Ancient people burned frankincense, believing it to carry their prayers to heaven. Its use as incense illustrates His role as our Priest.
MYRRH: This is perhaps the most mysterious of the Gifts. It is a resin produced by a small, tough, scraggly tree that grows in semi-desert regions of North Africa and the Red Sea. Myrrh is an Arabic word for bitter, and it is considered a wound healer because of its strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Calling it mo yao, the Chinese used it for centuries to treat wounds, bruises and bleeding and to relieve painful swelling.
The Egyptians made it famous in Biblical times, having acquired myrrh about the fifteenth century B.C. from Africa where cammiphora trees were abundant. It was used in incense, perfumes and holy ointments and also medicinally as recorded in the Ebers Papyrus. But its most notable use to them was that of an embalming material, used in Egyptian mummies. As an embalming ointment it signified that He was born to Die for the world. In fact, Myrrh was one of the burial spices of Jesus (John 19:39).
Say, "Sometimes during this time of year, we get so busy with buying gifts, decorating, attending parties, etc. that we can forget about the real reason we celebrate Christmas. We forget about the baby Jesus. How about you? Will you search for Jesus this year? Will you place Him at the center of your Christmas celebration like He is at the center of the nativity scene? His Word says if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us..."
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